Effectiveness and Adverse Drug Reactions of Various Formulas of Cannabis Oil in Medical Cannabis Clinic, Nakornping Hospital, Chiangmai

Abstract

Objective: To study the effectiveness and adverse reactions of Cannabis Oil GPO (THC:CBD = 1:1), THC Cannabis Oil (GPO) and the Decha's Cannabis Oil used in the Medical Cannabis Clinic at Nakornping Hospital in Chiang Mai. Methods: The subjects consisted of 128 patients who received treatment at the Medical Cannabis Clinic of Nakornping Hospital between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2023. The researcher followed up with the patients by telephone on the 7th and 14th days after drug use to assess the adverse events. The study also evaluated the effectiveness by asking the patients whether their symptoms treated by cannabis oil improved, remained the same, or worsened compared to those before using. Results: The majority of patients were cancer patients in the palliative stage (42.97%). The most common indication of cannabis was insomnia (33.60%), followed by pain (32.03%). On the 7th day after using cannabis oil GPO (THC:CBD = 1:1), THC cannabis oil (GPO), and the Decha's cannabis oil, the percentages of those reporting the improvement of symptoms were 61.04, 77.78, and 80.00, respectively. The differences among formulas were not statistically significant (P = 0.199). On the 14th day after drug uses, the percentage of those who had improved symptoms were 79.22, 80.56 and 93.33, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences (P=0.629). The percentages of users of cannabis oil GPO (THC:CBD = 1:1), THC cannabis oil (GPO) and the Decha's cannabis oil with reported adverse events on day 7 after drug use were 18.18, 13.89, and 6.67, respectively. The differences did not reach statistically significant levels (P = 0.544). The most common adverse events on day 7 after using all three formulas were dry mouth, dry eyes, and dry throat (9.09, 5.56, and 6.67 percent, respectively). The percentage of users experiencing adverse events on day 14 after using the drugs was also not significantly different (9.09, 5.56, and 6.67, respectively; P = 0.796). Conclusion: Approximately 80 percent of patients who used Cannabis Oil GPO (THC:CBD = 1:1) and THC Cannabis Oil (GPO) and 93 percent of patients who used the Decha's cannabis oil reported that the drugs were effective in improving their symptoms. The effectiveness among three formulas was not different. 5.56-9.09% of patients experienced adverse drug reactions on day 14 of drug use.